The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed a tragic loss of life following a devastating flood that struck the Mokwa Local Government Area of the state. According to the agency’s latest update, no fewer than 151 persons have been confirmed dead, while 503 households have been severely affected by the disaster.
The Director-General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, provided these figures in an official statement released to the press. He disclosed that 11 individuals sustained injuries of varying degrees as the flood wreaked havoc across several communities. The impact has left many families in mourning and others struggling to recover from the widespread destruction.
According to Arah, the flood displaced over 3,018 residents from their homes across three heavily affected communities in Mokwa. Emergency shelters and temporary accommodations have been set up in nearby safe zones, but the overwhelming number of displaced persons continues to put pressure on available resources.
In addition to the human toll, critical infrastructure in the area has also been significantly damaged. Two bridges and two major roads were submerged by floodwaters, effectively cutting off access to and from affected communities. This has hampered rescue and relief efforts, making it more challenging for emergency responders to reach those in need.
The flood, reportedly triggered by days of intense rainfall and the overflowing of nearby rivers, has brought untold hardship to residents of the area. Farmlands, homes, and livelihoods have been destroyed, heightening concerns over food insecurity and the long-term socio-economic effects on the region.
NSEMA has called for urgent intervention from both the federal government and international humanitarian organizations to assist in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. “The scale of destruction is beyond the capacity of the state alone,” Arah emphasized, urging for swift action to prevent a secondary crisis related to health, hunger, and displacement.
As relief operations continue, the agency has appealed to residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground and remain alert to further warnings. The incident serves as yet another reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive flood management strategies and resilient infrastructure in Nigeria’s vulnerable regions.